the real core of what clinton had was they cut spending. their percentage of spending to gdp was so much less, and that's where they got out of it. that agreement in '97 cut taxes and cut spending, which spurred growth. and we need a pro-growth economy. that's how we're going to get out of this mess. what we're talking about today, of just raising the taxes, does not solve the problem. i don't see it passing the house. now, republicans have not sat back. we've put revenue on the table. but the president has always said it has to be a balanced approach. >> if you can choose, if you could choose, what's -- i mean we've heard -- we've heard from their side, from the other side, and i'm talking about from your viewpoint, secretary geithner. >> yes. >> has said, we -- if we don't get the 2% -- if we don't get the rise on rates on the 2% we'll go over the fiscal cliff. in your view would it be better to go over the fiscal cliff than to get the back to the clinton rates on the high end? >> i think the best thing we don't go over the fiscal cliff.